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'(No Model.)

A. P. STEUART 8: H. M. WELLIVBR.

CARPET STRETGHBR.

Patented Dec. 20, 1887.

Z? I J7 a UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIca.

ANDREW PORTER STEUART, OF WESTPORT, AND HARRY MUSSINA WELLI- VER, OF LOOK HAVEN, PENNSYLVANIA; SAID WELLIVER ASSIGNOR TO SAID STEUART.

CARPET-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 375,019, dated December 20, 1887.

Application filed October 24, 1885. Serial No. 180,868. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, ANDREW PORTER STEU- ART and HARRY llIUSSINA WELLIVER, citizens of the United States, residing at WVestport and Lock Haven,respectively,in the county of Olinton and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Carpet Stretchers, of which the following is a specification. to Our invention relates to improvements in carpetstretchers; and it consists in certain novel features, hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of our improved carpetstretcher in operative position, and Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the device, showing the several parts folded for storage and transportation. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same. Referring to the drawings by letter, A designates the main bar or lever, of any suitable material and of any desired dimensions. At one end of this lever A we form the handle B, and at the opposite end we pivotally secure to the under side of the same a metal plate, 0, having its end bent, as shown, and provided with the teeth D along its edges. The plate thus constructed forms a claw, which engages in the carpet when the device is being operated. The edges of the plate are not bent toward each other, but one edge is bent outward and the other edge is bent inward in a plane very nearly parallel thereto, so that as the said clawis forced forward over 3 5 the carpet it will engage therein and stretch the same, but as it is drawn backward over the carpet it will pass readily thereover without engaging therein.

E designates a fulcrum-bar, which is pivoted at one end to the under side of the main bar or lever, about the center of the same, and provided at its free end with the downwardlyturned point F.

G designates a claw similar to the claw O, 5 pivoted to the under side of the main bar or lever, near the handle of the same.

In operation the fulcrum-bar is turned out from the main bar or lever, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, and the point F is driven into the floor. The claw G is then made to engage in the carpet, and the handle Bis then pushed in a direction contrary to the direction in which the carpet is to be stretched. This action causes the claw C to draw on the carpet,

as will be readily understood. NVhen the carpet has been sufficiently stretched, the claw G is made to engage in the carpet and hold it in its stretched position while being tacked or otherwise secured to the floor. The several parts being pivoted to the main lever, the pull on the carpet will be in a straight line, for as the lever is pushed or pulled back the claw will turn on its pivot, so as to always pull on the carpet in a straight line. When the device is not in use, the several parts are turned 6 into the position shown in Fig. 2, lying entirely between the edges of the main bar, so as to take up the least possible room and facilitate packing for transportation and also allow the device to be laid aside in a very small space.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that we have provided a-vcry simple device, which can be readily operated by any person, howeverfunskilled.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. A carpet-sfretcher comprising a main bar, a fulcrum-bar secured thereto, and the claws pivoted to the main bar and having their serrated edges bent so as to engage the carpet when the main bar is turned in one direction and slip over the same when it is turned in the opposite direction,substantially as specified.

2. A carpetstretcher comprising a main bar or lever, a fulcrum-bar pivoted thereto about its center, and claws pivoted to the under side of the same near its opposite ends, 0 substantially as set forth.

3. A carpet-stretcher comprising the main, bar, the fulcrum-bar pivoted thereto, and the claws pivoted thereto near its opposite ends, the said claws consisting of metal plates hav- 5 ing their ends bent in substantially parallel planes and provided with teeth along their edges, substantially as described.

ANDREW PORTER STEUART. HARRY MUSSINA llELliIVER.

Vitnesses:

JAMES W. CLARK, H. T. JARRETT. 

